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AP's Larry Lage follows up with details of Justin Verlander's five-year $80 million deal with the Tigers. The breakdown of the deal is as follows: Verlanders receives salaries of $6.75 million in 2010, $12.75 million in 2011 and $20 million from 2012-14. Verlander also receives a $500,000 signing bonus.

Verlander had requested $9.5 million for 2010, compared to the Tigers counter offer of $6.9 million. The midpoint between the two was $8.2 million. Due to the long term commitment, Verlander's 2010 salary falls $1.45 million below the midpoint and is even lower than what Detroit offered in arbitration. It still represents a percent raise over the 83.7% raise from his 2009 salary of $3.675 million. With a number of long term contracts expiring after 2010, Detroit has positioned themselves well for the final four years of Verlander's contract.

The righty's 19 wins in 2009 were tops in the American League. he also led the league in starts (35), innings pitched (240), strikeouts (269) and strikeouts per 9 IP (10.1). Coming off his best season, and still two weeks and two days shy of his 27th birthday, Verlander will be Detroit's ace until the end of his age 31 season.

Verlander was Detroit's only pending arbitration case. Hearings will begin imminently for the remaining players like Wandy Rodriguez, Cody Ross and Corey Hart who have not come to terms with their teams. Please visit the salary arbitration figures page for more information.

Joe Tetreault is a member of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey.